I am trying to outfit my little 12 footer to make it something of a lake/sound fishing machine. I realize that will take dual 200's, but I am starting small. All I am seeking is a little LCD display of the bottom and everything of size in between. I don't need GPS, water temperature, or cool screensavers. And it doesn't need to be portable, I would prefer a regular mount anyway.

I am looking for a budget fishfinder, and it seems there are a bunch, From Humminbird's to the Garmins and on, I can't seem to tell which ones are units that I want, and which ones to stay away from?

I would really like to hear some honest recommendations, as the field is too wide, and I would like to avoid the lemons.

I've got a 14' aluminum with a 25 horse Yamaha (post-divorce boat - pre-divorce was a 28' sportfisher) that I've turned into a fishing machine. Fish everything from Lk Washington cuthroat to Neah Bay Salmon and everything in-between.

I use the $100 hummingbird and have loved it - uncomplicated, waterproof, and it shows me individual fish, bait, bottom, etc. Not to say there aren't advantages to $600 fishfinders but for the money this has been perfect.

Other things I've done to maximize fishing from a small boat is: Turned my middle bench seat into a fish box by installing a 13" by 36" hatch, hatch liner, and drain. Removing a large cooler from the boat sure frees up space. Installed two 13" x 15" hatches/hatch liners in the rear bench seat - one for the battery - the other for a dry box. Once again freeing up premium deck space. Installed a coho cleaner with ss bolts/wingnuts over the side - gotta bleed those fish, clean 'em quick, and get them on ice. Installed a Scotty 1060 downrigger on 1 side. - I run 2 rods off of this - this small of a boat I didn't want to hang two downrigger cables down that close together and then turn sideways in a strong tide flow. This has been working great with far fewer tangles than if I were running two downriggers. In my battery box/hatch I installed a fuse panel and then installed running lights and a 12v outlet for cell/vhf charging. BTW I highly recommend a submersible, handheld vhf tethered to the boat. They can be had for under $150 and are a necesesity.

My sons and I caught 31 salmon and 30+ seabass, ling cod, etc at neah bay from this rig last weekend.

Good luck, be safe, have fun!

There's a nice used Eagle Seafinder 320 sonar with speed and temp. ( made by Lowrance) being offered by private seller in Ifish.net's boat and tackle section for $150 obo.

That's a pretty nice unit that the sellor says it is in great shape, is only a year old and he's only selling it because he upgraded to a sonar/gps unit.

I think they sell new for about $240 with speed and temp.--He's been trying to sell it for a while for $150--if you offered him $125 you'ld probably get yourself a better than average FF.

Tight Lines

shop ebay for fish finders lots of new in box items for a forth of the price . i got my 400tx when they were new at $450 for about $200 on e bay.

I shop eBay a darn good bit. I am mostly wondering about Makes and models that you guys like. I will look at eBay for a used 450TX, and the Eagle 320. Keep the Makes and models coming, I bet there are some other guys that would love this info too. Good, and cheap is what we all like, huh?

in mounting it on your boat, fasten a 6 inch piece of 2x4 where you want your transducer and screw everything in that piece of 2x4 instead of your transom. so you can change or do whatever with only the 2x4 instead of your transom.


garmins are the sh!t

I have had incredible experience with garmin customer service... I broke it because I was stupid, I told them that and sent money. They sent my money back along with a fixed unit that was cleaned polished and updated. They even consolidated my waypoints for me. Just my two cents on brand loyalty